Relaince Jio, Indian telecommunication giant, is all set to launch a 4G smartphone in December. Jio which previously disrupted the telecom market by providing bundled plans over the traditional separate voice and data plans is now going a step further in bundling, by offering a ‘Jio-exclusive’ smartphone.
The smartphone will be launched as a bundled offering with data as well as other benefits in order to gain new customers and lure away 2G users from rivals Vodafone Idea and Bharti Airtel.
JioPhone In Partnership With Google, Vivo
This phone is slated to be launched in a partnership with the Chinese brand Vivo. The phone is part of Vivo’s Y series and will be offered at a price of around 8000 rupees.
The phone Vivo Y1s has already been launched in other markets than India. Following are the Specifications :-
- MediaTek Helio P35 processor
- 6.22-inch HD+ display
- 4,030 mAh battery.
- The front camera is 5MP and
- Rear camera is 13MP.
- Connectivity options include Wi-Fi 2.4, Bluetooth 5.0 and USB 2.0.
- Aurora Blue and Olive Black colour options.
Critical Facts About JioPhone
According to some reports, Jio may offer discounts, shopping benefits, OTT subscriptions as well as one-time screen replacement. A customer may only use these benefits if he or she buys the handset locked with Jio connection.
Lava and Karbonn are some of the local smartphone players Jio is in touch with for additional partnerships in addition to the Chinese brands.
Earlier it was reported that Jio inked a collaboration with iTel, a Chinese smartphone maker to launch 4G smartphones in India ranging at Rs 3,000- 4,000. The handsets are yet to hit the Indian market. Jio has been working with Flex for its JioPhone series.
Ashwinder Sethi, Principal at Analysys Mason said “The handset bundling and the related handset subsidies and other benefits are geared towards increasing Jio’s share of gross adds to the market and, more importantly, retaining existing Jio 4G feature phone users whose contracts are coming up for expiry in the coming months”.
In addition to this, Jio is planning to launch a low-cost 4G phone in partnership with Google. This phone will most likely be launched in 2021.
“I am excited that our joint collaboration will focus on increasing access for hundreds of millions of Indians who don’t currently own a smartphone while improving the mobile experience for all,” said Alphabet and Google CEO Sundar Pichai.
“Google has empowered millions of Indians to access helpful information and, like Jio, is a force for change and innovation. Together, we hope to play a strong facilitative role in the transformative journey of building a new, Digital India,” said Mukesh Ambani, Chairman and Managing Director of Reliance Industries.
Archrival Bharti Airtel too is in talks with Lava as well as Karbonn for low cost 4G smartphones and plans to launch bundled smartphones and exploring device options.